Happy Halloween

A little pumpkin wants to wish you a Happy Halloween! We are enjoying our first Halloween together as a family.

Please stop taking my picture!!!!!

Even Lexi is starting to relax a little... Look at her checking out her little sister!

The First "Bath"

After being home for a few days, I knew it was time to give the peanut a "bath." Grandma was there to help me through it...thank goodness! This is one of the many things from that first week that I was happy and relieved to have my mom support me through because I was a little nervous.

We brought the peanut into the bathroom, and I ran the hot water in the tub to make the room nice and warm and steamy. Then we laid her down on her big sponge.

Once I started to undress her, things took a turn for the worse! Look at this face.

She was not a happy camper. Actually, I think she said, "Excuse me mom...what do you think you are doing? Cover me back up, swaddle me, and GET ME OUT OF HERE!"

After her first "bath," she was awake for the longest amount of time in her short life. She loved being wrapped up in her towel, and I think she was actually looking out the window! Grandma was holding her, and we loved just watching her look around. It was the first time that she was awake!

The best part about this first bath. When we went to get her dressed, we realized she pooped in her fresh towel. Who poops in their towel? She is definitely a Seymour!

Our Homecoming in Pictures

Welcome home little girl. Welcome to our family. We love you so much.

The NICU

The NICU is where Kailyn spent her first 72 hours of life. In our circumstance, we viewed the NICU an extra special babysitter that goes above and beyond the call of duty. Kailyn was not sick, but she just needed to be monitored and watched closely. The whole time she was there, she did exceptionally well and we were blessed to bring her home with us when we left the hospital.

Having just given birth, it was hard having my sweet little girl in the NICU. First of all, she was on a different floor in the hospital. So every time I wanted to see her or feed her, I had to go down the elevator. We had to enter the NICU and scrub at the scrub sink.

We had to put on a special gown.

It felt like a lot especially in the middle of the night when I was going to feed her.

In the NICU, she was always hooked up to monitors. It was hard for me to hold her, change her, and feed her. This was her little bed and area.

It was hard. It was especially hard going back to my empty single room. I hated being alone. I wanted to be with my peanut. When I walked by all of the rooms on my floor, I saw many moms and dads snuggling their newborns. I saw bonding, cuddling, and swaddling. I saw visitors sharing and holding the babies. It made me a little jealous.

I wasn't really able to hold Kailyn and bond with her. After feeding her, I usually had to put her down and go back to my room. We did get a few pictures of the times where we did get to hold her and snuggle her.

Secondly, the whole time Kailyn was in the NICU, we did not know if we would be able to bring her home. I was worried sick that she would have to stay there, and I would be going home alone. Every time the nurse, our family, and friends would mention it, I would die inside. The thought of going home without our girl was devastating to me. My mom went through that when my brother was born, and I still don't know how she handled it.

Spending time in the NICU made my heart hurt for the other parents that are not so lucky. There were so many babies in the NICU that were not just visiting like our Kailyn. My heart goes out to all of the parents of those precious babies. I will continue to send prayers and positive thoughts in their direction. My friend A always says she should have been a NICU nurse. She knows that being a NICU nurse would bring such a joy to your life to know that you are making a difference. I don't know if I could ever do it. Being in the NICU for 72 hours was 72 hours too long for me. Walking past the incubators, cribs, and worried faces took a toll on me. I am so grateful to have my baby girl home with me, and I hope I never have a visit to the NICU in the future.

A Birth Story

I cannot believe over a week has passed since I gave birth to our little girl. It was the fastest, most exhausting, most perfect week of my life. She is absolutely amazing. I am so excited to finally share how our girl arrived unexpectedly at 35 weeks... 5 weeks early.

It was Thursday night, and Dobbie and I were excited to watch WVU on Thursday night college football. I came home from work that day, more stressed than usual. I had an observation with my principal and parent visitation all looming in the next week. We ate dinner, pasta with a homemade bolognese. I had taken Lexi to play at my mom's that day, and she gave me homemade sauce for dinner! Then, we were relaxing watching The Mountaineers. I fell asleep early at like 9:30 while we were watching the game. I woke up a little after 11 to go to the bathroom. As I stood up and walked to the bathroom, I felt like I peed my pants! Uh oh. I didn't say anything to Dobbie, and I turned the lights on in the bathroom.

Right then, Dobbie knew something was up. He came in the bathroom. He looked at the sweatpants that I was wearing and told me he was calling the doctor. He kept telling me to get dressed. I was so tired and in denial that I just kept trying to go back to bed. I laid back down, and Dr. A. called back. She told us to go to the hospital. The hospital! We didn't have a bag packed or anything. This is when things started getting hectic. I was so tired that I was out of it. You should of seen the random things I threw in a bag to go to the hospital.

As we are on our way, we stopped at a red light. Dobbie asked me if I had my id and wallet. Whoops! We had to turn around and go home because I clearly was not thinking straight. Who leaves to go to the hospital without their purse, id, and insurance card?

We arrived at the hospital, and we were taken into an exam room. Everyone at the hospital was so wonderful. The first nurse we encountered was funny. She informed me that she sees my kind all the time...women in denial!

I had my first internal exam, and I was 3cm dilated already! I wasn't feeling any pain, but I was in shock. I was having a baby 5 weeks early. I started to get a little worried. I was worried about the baby. I wondered if she will be healthy. I was worried about things at home. We really didn't have things ready and in order. Everything from the baby shower was still in bags and piles at home. The worrying didn't last too long because my labor was fast and furious.

Within the next hour and a half, I was in full blown labor. It all happened SO quickly. After we moved to our labor and delivery room, I was in pain. I threw up. Dobbie had plans to go home, and those plans quickly changed. All of a sudden, I was ready to push. Dr. A had arrived. I was so nervous. I had no idea what to expect. The whole night seemed like a blur because everything happened at warp speed. The nurses were laughing and telling me that this was not a typical labor for a first timer. After I had the epidural, I was able to be more comfortable...but not for long.

My last moments before I became a mommy!

After 4 pushes Kailyn Rose was born. Dobbie cut the cord, and they took her to clean her up and check her out.

She was so teeny tiny. I couldn't get a good look at her. I kept asking if she was okay over and over again. Everyone kind of had their backs to me, and it seemed like an eternity. My heart was full of worry because she was so tiny, but I couldn't believe the love that I felt at that moment. When they finally placed her in my arms, the tears came streaming down my face. She changed my life in one instant.

I was only able to hold her for a second. Being 5 weeks early, she weighed 4lbs. 11oz. so they took her to the NICU. She stayed in the NICU the whole time we were in the hospital. She had to be monitored, keep up her own temperature, and her weight had to be watched. Dobbie went to the NICU with her, and he was able to see her get checked in.

The nurses and staff in the NICU were amazing. They took such great care of our peanut. They even blinged out her big girl crib when she was moved into it.

It was the fastest, most unexpected night of my life, but it was the greatest night of my life. People always say that you will never know how a parent loves a child until you become a parent. Words cannot express how much I love my peanut. She has changed my life forever. She is truly a blessing. She is the most beautiful little person I have ever laid eyes on. Over the past week, I am starting to get to know her. I can stare at her, snuggle, her, touch her, and hold her for hours days years. There is nothing on earth that can ever compare to this feeling of being a mommy, and I plan on cherishing every moment. 

New Proud Parents

The Day My Life Began...

So, you remember that carton of Orange juice I told you about...I should have said that I will be a mommy before I have a chance to open it!

Welcome to the world Kailyn Rose! You are the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. I love you and I can't wait to be with you every second of every day!

Kailyn Rose
4 pounds 11 ounces, 18 inches long
Born October 15, 2010 (5 weeks early) at 4:05 a.m.

Baby Kay is already loving life. She is currently on a mini-vacation in the NICU. She is resting, eating, and staying warm! Stay tuned for her birth story. 

To Baby Kay,

I love you with all of my heart. I lay awake at night dreaming of finally being able to hold you in my arms.  I want to feel your skin and smell your smell. I want to hear you cry that first cry. I want to look in your eyes and take you in. You are my little angel, and I know that you will be a ray of light for our family. Before we have even met, I have loved you with every ounce of love I have to give.  As you continue to grow in my belly, I feel so blessed to know that I am keeping you safe and warm. I am so excited to introduce you to this world and to share experiences with you.

I know your daddy feels the same way. He thinks about you all the time. He talks to you everyday and kisses you and loves you. You should see the way he beams with pride when he talks about you. He has high hopes for you, his baby girl. He wants to give you the world, and I don't doubt that he will. He is an amazing husband and friend, and you are one lucky little lady to be able to call him daddy.

We are waiting patiently for you Baby Girl. I don't think I can wait much longer or my heart will explode. I wish I could take every day until you were born to concentrate only on you. I want to think about only you, love only you, talk to only you, but I can't. There are some things I still need to take care before you arrive, but I want you to know that I am counting down the days until we meet.

Love,
Mommy

35 Weeks

35 weeks pregnant, and I can finally say I feel pregnant all day every day! Up until now, I have had it easy. At times, I would forget that I was pregnant, but not anymore. Your typical pregnancy symptoms are creeping up on me and I think they are here to stay until the end. (you know... having trouble bending over and getting out of bed, constant need to pee, swollen ankles, cramping and stretching in my belly, and a few other unmentionables) 

This has been another hectic week. It has been so hectic and stressful that I took a half day off of work yesterday morning. I slept in a little bit and did some things I have been meaning to do before going to work in the afternoon. 

At 35 weeks, I ...

* had my first eventful Dr. appointment (well actually 34 weeks). On Tuesday evening, Dobbie and I went to the doctor after work. Our Dr. had trouble finding our sweet girl's heartbeat. I wasn't nervous, but I immediately started thinking "hmmm, when was the last time I felt her move?" After she found the heartbeat, it was really low. It was 120 and it has been in the 150s every other time. So, I was put on the baby monitor to monitor Baby Kay's heartbeat. We waited for about 30 minutes. I had to eat a lollipop and drink some water to give my little sweetness a sugar kick. After that, her heartbeat had a spike in acceleration and we were all good. It made us a little nervous because up until this point we have had no issues. 

My friend S and her husband had an appointment at the same time! They went back first. We were still waiting when they came out and off they went to the hospital. S had high blood pressure! They wanted to do some tests, etc. Everything turned out okay, but she is now out of work until little Baby A arrives! Good for you S! You deserve the time to relax and put your swollen feet up!  I know that baby girl will be here before we know it! I cannot wait! The whole thing made me realize that things are starting to happen and Dobbie and I better dedicate this weekend to getting our ducks in a row. We need to put away and organize baby things, do more laundry, and pack a hospital bag. 5 weeks is no time at all! 

* had a baby shower at work from all of my wonderful friends and co-workers! On Tuesday morning (again 34 weeks), we had breakfast, cake, and I was given all kinds of wonderful goodies and a generous gift card for the baby. Thank you so much Tatem family for your generosity! Baby Kay is one loved little girl already! I had to share one little gift that was in one of the gift bags...

I want a pair of these in my size! How adorable? These are perfect for a photo shoot!

* find myself day dreaming about what this little girl will be like. What will she look like? When will she smile? When will she roll over?  I am so interested to learn her personality. What will she like? Will she be curious and carefree or cautious and careful? Will she play sports like her mommy (fingers crossed) and daddy or will she be more artsy and creative? Will she be kind and loving? One thing is for sure...she will know what love is. She is so loved already and I cannot imagine how we will feel when she gets here.

* look like this.

* am looking forward to being home with my baby girl wearing sweatpants everyday. I dislike maternity clothes! They are not flattering and I feel like I wear the same outfit everyday! 

* am looking forward to getting our maternity photos done this weekend! Dobbie and I are getting pictures done by Allyson Crozier and I need some ideas. Anyone have any good ideas? My friend S had her pictures done last weekend and they turned out beautiful! It is so special to document this time (you know, other than shots in my bathroom mirror with my head cut off). Leave me a comment if you have a good idea for some maternity shots! 

* am starting to stress about Halloween. What am I going to be for Halloween at 37 weeks pregnant? I normally would not dress up, but I teach first grade! I need a costume! Maybe I could stop working before then... a girl can dream right?

34 Weeks

Week 34 of pregnancy was a tough one. The crazed days of work and life are saying go, go, go, but my body is finally starting to say "no thank you." This week was extremely tiring as I prepared for my first observation of the school year. One down ... three more to go! Mostly, I have cleaning, organizing, and nesting on my mind and I have NO time to do anything! I have this overwhelming urge to move furniture, shampoo carpets, clean windows and curtains, organize drawers. I even have the strongest desire to power wash the sidewalk in front of the house. I wish I had a week off of work to do all of these things, but I guess they will have to wait.  Thank goodness for Dobbie because he takes care of all of the everyday things. If it weren't for him, we would have no clean laundry and no clean dishes.

At 34 weeks, I ...

* have had the worst swollen ankles after working all day. They look like they did back in college after one of my many ankle sprains.

Cankles at their finest! Rosie O'Donnell called ... she wants her ankles back. I can barely see my feet past my belly, and when I got my first glance, they looked like two Christmas hams. To my poor ankles ... I'll be seeing you in 5 weeks. Hang in there.

* have started to feel a few cramps in my belly. I was wondering if I felt my first Braxton Hicks contractions, but I really think it is just Baby Kay growing and expanding. She is so high that she is really kicking and punching me high in my ribs. 

* am feeling really fatigued. My body is carrying around all of this extra weight, and it is not happy. At the same time, I am having trouble getting comfortable sleeping at night. So I am sleepy and not getting good rest. 

* LOVE this baby girl so much. I am really starting to get to know her. It is funny because her movements are so pronounced that it is like she is mad in there. She rolls around in there and stretches out, and then BAM...she slams me and my whole stomach moves.  I love touching the outside of my belly and feeling her.

* did her first load of laundry this weekend. Dobbie and I washed all of her 0-3 month clothes and pjs. You should have seen the lint when we were done...it was ALL PINK! We washed a few of her 3-6 outfits too. I can't wait to put her little clothes away and organize all of her things. We were going to do it  this weekend, but the weather was beautiful. Dobbie, Lexi, and I went to an apple festival in Medford and the dog park instead. It was such a wonderful weekend, and Dobbie and I only have a few more before our lives are changed forever and for the better.

* bought orange juice with an expiration date of November 18th! I will be a mommy before I have to throw away the oj! That is insane. It really hit us that she will be here in no time. With that being said, this coming weekend will be all about baby! 

Here's to another healthy week of pregnancy. I hope my friends that are new momma's to be are feeling great and enjoying every second! 

A Love Like Theirs...

Started from the beginning and only grew with time. 

It paved a road to happiness for everyone lucky enough to be a part of their lives.

It inspires others with overwhelming love, respect, understanding, and sacrifice. 

It has taught me life's greatest lessons about trust and commitment.

It has created treasured memories that I hold dear to my heart.

It is something that I strive for in my own life.

I love these two people with my whole heart.

And I want to wish them a Happy 33rd Anniversary. I want to thank you for giving me a loving, happy home. I will never understand how you managed (and still manage) to be the greatest parents while taking care of each other, but you did it! Here's to another 33 years! Congratulations and I love you!